Great article about what I am doing…
Shanna Riley wrote this great article (link doesn’t work but you can click on the picture above) about what I am doing… and I thought she hit the nail on the head 
Author: HotForWords
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Why have i only now found this article?
WOW…I’m pique in awe, too. makes me hungry for piroshki
I was born in east germany, so I got a lot of bad russian. started in third grade, back in 1987. eleven years in a row … can’t speak it. always been too lazy to learn the words. it’s a shame. but … give me a word and most likely I’ll be able to decline / conjugate it, lol.
you must be proud, you were born in the good germany…
alx,
The same is happening here in the U.S. Many universities offer lectures as Podcasts. Harvard among others have “extension schools” available free at the online itunes store. Some universities such as Duke University provide students with mp3 players.
The university setting offers many kids in the U.S. their first experience of living independently as an adult. This is a defining period of socialization, and an increasing amount of it takes place in a digital environment. An environment in which the individual is both isolated and integrated, dissatisfied and satisfied, confused?
I expect this will have an impact upon social behavior and self identity as students continue further into adulthood. As to what changes will occur as society adapts to its digital environment, who can predict?
I use to get personal feedback from professors, now I get emails. These emails rarely convey to me that I am being personally recognized. Just my work is being commented on. Work that I increasingly feel disconnected with. Does Marxist social theory apply to intellectual product? …OK time to stop.
Your English is fine. Communication received. I’d apologize for my Russian. But I don’t have any. I do have a lot of bad Spanish though, I’m a popular joke in Nicaragua.
Buzzword
(Allan)
argh, now I did it!
there was an interesting feature on the radio today. the largest encyclopedia over here, the Brockhaus Enzyklopädie, will not be available in print anymore.
Instead, it will be available online. for free.
so … this is the way it’s gonna be, I guess: any kind of information will be stored somewhere on (in?) the web.
same goes for universities. there’s no handouts anymore. every academic does a “script”, they put it on their homepage, you need to download it — no handouts anymore, no copied (segments of) professional articles (of course there’s still books we need to buy).
university fees are being paid via a student’s online account. no other way to do it.
I remember paying fees cash at some sort of counter. they don’t do that anymore.
sry about my english … uh … kinda scatterbrained today … hope you get my point … more coffee.
mh. this was meant to be a reply to buzzword’s posting …
Marina,
I agree. Do you think that as this becomes commonplace and accepted on the Internet that such behavior increases in public? The internet can be seen as a region that contributes to changes in language, behavior and social norms. How much will Internet socialization change public socialization? By the way I think that you are contributing to the social discourse in a very positive manner. Thank you and congratulations on your success.
buzzword
it makes me very happy when a person do something really good and make my day when she deserve it.
i hope you continue with your successful career,
luck
Franco from the northern land
> I don’t mean to go on and on in Marina’s comments
hm. why not? this discussion is better than some of those
retardedannoying comments on youtube about her boobs or whatever.That’s very true, and a good point. Of course, that could start an entirely new discussion on the lack of common courtesy in today’s society – which is just as, if not worse, than the lack of English/writing skills we’ve been discussing!
Common courtesy and *respect*, I meant to say – both are, I’m afraid, severely lacking. Don’t even get me *started* about what women have to put up with online from random, horny men contacting them out of the blue!
I read an article that explored the impact of easily accessed pornography upon the perceptions of social relationships. Individuals who frequently access pornography develop the expectations that all social relationships and exchanges offer the same casual regard for sexuality. It is interesting to consider how social norms and perceptions of reality are shaped by this relatively new form of communication. Random, horny men are rewarded by their forwardness. There is after all someone somewhere that has responded favorably to their propositions. These brief but rude exchanges often cause me grave concern for women and society. I have wondered if there is any relevance to this and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
buzzword
buzzword.. I think that’s it’s the anonymity that allows people to say whatever they want without repercussions. But it’s not that bad.. you learn to ignore the bed and focus on the good
Roses are given to Marina!!!
[bet]
> ignore the bed
never! I need sth to sleep in.
sry. -g-
…”ignore the bed and focus on the good.” That was funny!
A post on the muscle-man-or-mouse thread caught my attention. An exchange between kazon and prospero811. prospero811 recognized the obvious nature of kazon’s request and then politely responded with a very educated and eloquent response. Ah, the power of reason.
buzzword
I am glad that “Hot for Words” is getting great reviews as it should. I am a Literature Graduate and still found it appealing and interesting which I believe it’s the case for a lot of people as well. It is great to learn new words or how they evolved across history and in my opinion Marina/Hot for Words is delivering the message wonderfully. Great show, keep it up…
cheers
Joe
ps. I love you accent
I do see your point, alx, about spoken language – and generally, I’m not a fan of “right” or “wrong” in *any* instance so I absolutely understand your point on that!
Perhaps your friend the teacher might have more luck with her students if she started showing Marina’s vids in class
(j/k of course!)
Shanna.. one common error is “your stupid” on YouTube.. actually.. now that I mention it.. it’s actually so funny! As a statement that is meant to hurt someone ends up making the other person look like an idiot!
Maybe bad grammar is a good thing.. as it gives you an instant bird’s eye view of who you are responding to.. and whether it even warrants your response in the first place!
NO. eight…the derby…SABRINA=MARINA
you’ll get over [it] 
Amen sista! I used to write a celeb-gossip-bashing blog (I stopped because I just didn’t feel right gaining by knocking others) which had a sister site that just focused on the rabid fans that attempted to defend their stars’ honor by lambasting me in my guestbooks and comments – often I didn’t have to do much in the way of defending myself or pointing out their fallacy (which was, really, just being angry at me for having a differing opinion) – they did a mighty fine job all on their own with exactly the kind of thing you’re talking about here.
I’ll admit, though, if not careful, I, too, am guilty of mistakenly using a “your” instead of a “you’re” or a “there” instead of a “their”; I cannot claim to be perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, an occasional mistake is completely different than an entire rant written in non-intelligible bilge with nary a single correct use of English/grammar/pronunciation to be found! Those old blogs were a saddening look at today’s youth and their lack of English skills…and the picture was mighty frightening!
I am completely sympathetic to your arguement skatoolaki. I’ll date myself here and tell you I graduated high school in 1970. Those teachers (I’ll always remember them) made sure we could write a sentence or even a paragraph. I’ve read alx’s comments in previous lessons and know he’s a smart guy. But, in this instance alx is wrong.
. Sorry, couldn’t resist.But, the point is that if you can’t write, what can you do to effectively communicate? Dance? Do vids? Marina does those but it starts with the writing.If it didn’t,her bloopers wouldn’t be such a hoot.
One of my early jobs was as a CPA with Price Waterhouse. You would think it was all about the numbers. Actually, it was all about the writing. I was already a decent writer but I had to learn their style of writing. Big eye opener
Alx’s school of thinking is very strong among many high school teachers. My favorite human being, Cheryl, does battle with it daily.
Go Cheryl, Go skatoolaki, Go Marina.
> if you can’t write, what can you do
> to effectively communicate?
yeah, well. talk?
when I’m talking about language, I’m always thinking of spoken language. not written language. that’s because there’s many languages that are only spoken. only a few that are spoken and written.
Thanks, slipperynoodle!
I agree, alx is obviously a smart cookie (always refreshing to find online!) but I think our problem was a mix-up in communication. He was actually referring to the spoken word, while I was going on about the written word.
I agree, though, it all beings with the words – having a good writing voice tends to improve and aid your speaking voice as well. The two do not always go hand-in-hand of course (some can write who can’t speak and vice versa), but – generally speaking – a good foundation in writing will get you far.
I can’t imagine not being able to write, and in school we, too, were taught the basics of sentence structure and simple paragraphs; I graduated in 1995. Though I often found my education lacking, I made up for it by being a voracious reader – an extra help in my learning that my classmates who didn’t enjoy a good book did not have available to them.
I went to private school and my parents paid dearly for our education; what saddens me is that I don’t feel they got their money’s worth. The school was much more interested in its sports programs than any real educating; some of the great coaches they hired were also horrible teachers (and one, in our school, had to be one to be the other). We had one such “teacher” – a great, funny guy and a wonderful coach – who just chose to let us stand up and tell stories during class because he just couldn’t be bothered with the history he was supposed to be teaching us (he admitted to us he just didn’t “get it” himself). From what I have seen of up and coming youth and recent grads, it has not improved – in fact, its gotten much worse.
My sister works for a state agency that approves exceptions for those in danger of losing their state-funded scholarships. The students must send in letters explaining their condition and why the believe they deserve an exception. 90% of those, she says, are barely legible and just pitifully written. College students that cannot write a simple letter; now that’s depressing.
I don’t mean to go on and on in Marina’s comments, but this is – in case you couldn’t tell – something I feel very passionately about. Many props to your friend, Cheryl, in fighting the good fight!
skatoolaki: just had to compliment you, on your comments. “…having a good writing voice tends to improve and aid your speaking voice as well.” I think, the competition element of sports, that is; winners and loosers, takes away the concept of self-analysis and places behavior values in a social-enviromental mess. With proper teachers, taking on responsibilites; that includes what is already, such as health-care and all the schools athletic programs. Mental development is divided with the educational institutions! Education, sometimes acts like FASCISM and produces social conflicts. To end my rant…drugs are used, by schools in mental adjustment…why? drugs are use, by the confuse…Thanks for the communications…lets shar’em and not continual the physical(sports) divide.
It is late and I don’t want to look through my old text books, I have forgotten the correct term for changes in language during social exchanges. As in when one switches to a professional form and then back to personal form. This would include changes in slang, jargon, etc. I would argue that people are ignoring the appropriate situations to use various languages, written or spoken. It is not a case that a certain type of language is fundamentally good or bad, just misused.
buzzword
yay, someone actually replied to someone else’s posting.
hehe, okay, I see your point. I once had a job as a proofreader so I know what you’re talking about.
) she’s been told to lower her teaching level or whatever, although, she says, it’s the lowest level already.
a friend of mine is a teacher at a … hm … you’d call it elementary school, I think. (I’m in germany.) she’s 26, most of her colleagues are about 50 years old. last time we talked she said that she’s almost crying sometimes. violence, drugs, most teachers just don’t care anymore. they just gave up. she says she’s trying to really teach her students something. e.g. grammar. ^^ and it’s not that her students don’t want to learn anything, they do. (she’s got boobs, lol.
it’s difficult. oh, and we’re not talking about some “ghetto” here. just an ordinary school. makes you think …
as for my previous posting — I was thinking about spoken language, and I just don’t like categories like “right” or “wrong” when it comes to language.
so … yes, Marina, you’re doing a great job, and it’s good you’re doing it.
a.
I’m married to the sister of a well published canadian writer & I run a succesfull bussiness so I understand the need for communicating well. Although a poor wordsmith myself, my teenage son impresses me. He can talk on the computer with numerous friends while downloading music & watching you tube videos. When “forced ” to write a short story in grade 9 he won the top prize & had to be coersed to read it at the award ceremony. The imagery & metaphores he used to paint his work of fiction didn’t come from my side of the family and his love of reading probably fed his ability.
I,m starting to enjoy a forum such as this to send out a little, hopfully positive message that respect can be earned as Marina has earned it by using words to entertain & educate.
Billy, it sounds as if your son has some natural talent – I hope he is able to pursue this and that it brings him many joys! It’s certainly a wonderful gift.
Read the news websites I offered up and you’ll see what I mean ^_^ And, as a matter of fact, reporters and journalists *do* have a book of rules they are meant to follow…(AP Guidelines, for one). Just see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Style_guide for some examples.
You are correct in that the blog world, online networks, and the like have no guidelines – which is fine if it wasn’t so abused (just my opinion). In media and other written, published works there are, indeed, rule books and guidelines that are meant to be followed to aid in clarity , conformity, and comprehension. Sadly, even those aren’t being followed (at least not locally, from my point of view) – leading to ill-written and often incomprehensible news reports and stories.
No one here is arguing that a change or shift in grammar and the written word is all bad; I certainly am not. If not for such changes and “modern” twists on old wordplay, we’d all still be talking in Shakespearean Old English. It’s impossible that it not ever change – in fact, any language unable to change and adapt to the changing times will, eventually, become a dead language.
However, *selectively* writing slang and in a modern voice is completely different than being too ignorant to know the difference. I’d hardly compare a lack of education to the natural changes in an ever-evolving language. The fact is, and statistics unfortunately back me up here, young adults are graduating high school and college (if they graduate high school at all) with extremely high illiteracy rates.
Spicing up your writing with hip slang and a modern flair is all and well good; not knowing how to form a simple sentence or write the word “though” says volumes about this country’s ability to educate its youth.
I’m a writer – I love the written word and I understand the need for our language to keep up with the times; in fact, I am thrilled that it is doing so. However, I cannot stand by and say I am comfortable with the fact that the majority of junior and high school students don’t know the difference between sounding modern and sounding illiterate. To say I am saddened by our nation’s floundering education is not to say I am against a change in the language.
Coming back to what Marina is doing here, I think its wonderful that she is catching the attention of the media-dazed youth, young adults, and adults by getting them excited by words, their meanings, usage, and origins. Perhaps she might get someone interested in English, writing, or reading who might otherwise not have ever known they had the word-bug. I think what she is doing is great, and I stand by it as firmly as I do believing we – as a people – need to do everything in our power to educate our young so that they become literate adults.
I absolutely respect your opinion, though please don’t get me wrong, and thank you for sharing it, alx.
I couldn’t agree with you more.
I just arrived here about 3 weeks ago, (14 months after you), and was not only stunned when I saw what Marina was doing, but also with the brilliant way she has carried it off – and the resulting success.
Now she has close to 180 Million views on YT with 430 lessons, and from what I see she just keeps picking up momentum.
I’ve been going through her work in time order, looking to get a clear grasp of her intention in creating all of this. I am really pleased and thrilled to find your article and take as to why it is significant, and Marina’s confirmation that you ‘hit the nail on the head’. These were exactly my thoughts when I became aware of her work.
I think it will be interesting to come back and look at these perspectives in future years, when her views will surely be in the billions.
I’m going to do what I can to help make that happen. It’s rare to not only find an activity that is so deserving of support, but also has such a clever and working formula to carry it out…
Aw, thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article – as soon as I saw your show I just had to write about it and spread the word. I just love what you’re doing, Marina, and think its brilliant. Keep up the good fight, Sister Wordsmith.
there’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” grammar[1], or even “correct” or “incorrect” word usage.
it’s all about conventions. people “agree” to use a certain element in a certain structure. that can change, and it does.
so how does language change? right: by using “bad” grammar and “incorrect” words.
not trying to be a smartass … just my opinion.
[1] with “grammar”, linguists refer to something in your head, not to some kind of book with rules. so we actually have about seven billion grammars.
Thanks again Shanna! I tried to leave a comment on your blog.. but couldn’t figure out where!
As much as you mention trying to keep your grammar correct.. I get killed on my pronunciation! I am especially going to get killed on an upcoming video that has Yiddish and German in it… but I am doing word origins…. not pronunciation.. so hopefully people will forgive me!
I really like what you wrote.. as it really does touch on feelings that I have as well!
Take care! And so happy to have you here!
Marina
german? yay. can’t wait. ^^
don’t americans like accents? that’s the impression I got from when I was there.
I was an exchange student back in 95/96 in louisville, ky. I just love the southern accent. luhvull rawks. lol.
THE BRAINS
You’re welcome and thank you as well, Marina.
I think you do great on the pronunciation; goodness knows the English language can slip up anyone with all its nuances, variances, and odd slang! I’m happy to be here, too – nothing more enjoyable than finding intelligent and interesting people online to converse with; it’s a rare find and always a treasure.
Alx, I’m from southern Louisiana – a proud Cajun – but my accent is no where as strong as it was when my grandmother and great-grandparents (all who had Cajun French as their mother tongue) were still alive. I don’t hear my own accent, naturally, but just adore hearing it in others’ speech!
As for comments, Marina, on looking at my blog I see the “Comments” link doesn’t appear if you go to a direct post (wth?…working on fixing that now) but they do show if you go to the blog itself (main page), down at the bottom of the post next to the Category listing. Sorry for the confusion, but glad to know there is a problem so I can get it fixed.
alx,
I live in Ohio, just above Kentucky. You would be happy to know that studies indicate that accents defining broad regions in the U.S. are being maintained over time. However small regional variations of accents are drifting into the larger. Yet you will not find a proud Kentuckian or Ohioan that would admit to having similar accents. No way in hail.
buzzword
> drifting into the larger
maybe because of “artificial” regions such as the louisville metropolitan area (“kentuckiana”)? 23 counties … that’s not exactly a small area …
Hi Shanna,
I’m a noobie at HFW.
I would like to read the article that spawned this thread, but I guess I’m handicapped in some way, or the joke’s on me. I can’t find it. Does anyone know how to get to the actual text?
Or is this a clever game to frustrate sycophants who seek favor with Marina by studying her true motives? If so, it’s a comic masterpiece.
Try the “great article” link above and see what I mean.